SUMMER 2026 PD Catalog

Browse live PD academy offerings by category below. As we offer both virtual and in person academies, be sure to note the location. Google Meet links for any virtual offerings can be found on the Calendar. Please bring your laptop to all EdTech sessions.

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PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

Navigating the NEw Pd/Flex hour structure

7/22 OR 7/31| 10 AM-11 AM | VIRTUAL

Navigate the new Professional Development/Flex Hour structure with confidence. This summer academy will review all the new information, clearly explaining the three distinct areas for earning hours: District Directed, Professional Growth, and Community Growth.

Facilitator: Kelly Rosario

Ed Tech

Promptcrafting and getting started with google gemini

6/24 OR 7/8 OR 7/23 OR 8/6 | 8:30 AM-9:30 AM | VIRTUAL

This hands-on workshop empowers secondary teachers to integrate Google Gemini into their classrooms regardless of their tech proficiency. Educators will delve into AI-driven lesson planning, differentiation, and student engagement while also addressing ethical use, privacy, and bias. With practical applications, teachers will be prepared to implement AI-generated resources and enhance instruction with Gemini.

Facilitator: Brian Ding or Sami Jo Eckhart

level up with advanced gemini strategies

8/6 | 10:15 AM-11:15 AM | HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY CLASSROOM

This session will go beyond basic promptcrafting and into more advanced features and strategies in Gemini. Learn how and when to switch models, Deep Research & Canvas tools, and the powerful ways that Gems can help you. We'll also share some of the exciting new features announced for Gemini at BETT & ISTE that will be launching in the near future.

Facilitator: JR Renna

implementing gemini with students (Capstone)

8/18 | 1 PM-2 PM | VIRTUAL

This session is a capstone to our AI Pathway for teachers looking to implement Gemini for student use. We will review best practices on rolling out AI literacy discussions in your class that have been informed by feedback from our Gemini pilot last year. We will provide lessons & resources for you to turnkey, and discuss strategies for instruction that deepens student learning without making AI a shallow shortcut.

NOTE: This course has prerequisite of 5 hours on the AI Exploration Pathway. Gemini can only be enabled for students in grades 8-12 at this time. Email JR Renna for details.

Facilitator: JR Renna

reasoning with google notebook lm

6/18 | 1 PM-2 PM | VIRTUAL

Discover how to leverage Google's NotebookLM, which will allow you to build your own mico-knowledgebase for analyzing multiple sources (such as comparing scope and sequences, lesson plans, or assessment data), making decisions (where can I adjust instruction to improve outcomes), and creating content (study guides, FAQs, or even podcasts of your materials)

Facilitator: JR Renna

WHAT'S NEW IN GOOGLE WORKSPACE

8/6 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Google Workspace gets new features on an almost daily basis. This academy will summarize some of the most noteworthy additions for educators, and how you can combine them to make collaborative & time-saving workflows. We'll also help you use the features you do know in a way that meets our best practice recommendations.

Facilitator: JR Renna

adapting teaching in the Ai era

6/12 OR 8/14 | 8:30 AM-10:30 AM | VIRTUAL

This session equips secondary educators with practical strategies for addressing the impact of AI on student work. We'll explore the reasons why students utilize AI tools, delve into the evolving definition of plagiarism in an AI-driven environment, and learn how to effectively adapt assignments and assessments to foster authentic learning. Participants will gain hands-on experience with prompt crafting to guide student AI usage and create AI-resistant tasks. Leave with actionable techniques to promote academic integrity and empower students to use AI ethically and responsibly.

Facilitators: Lauren Will & Sam Edwards

ethical implications of Ai & digital citizenship

7/9 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Join us for a discussion on the ethical implications of AI and the need for proper citation when using AI. We will also show you the APA and MLA styles for proper citation as will as using NoodleTools to cite AI.

Facilitators: Kelly Flynn & Ali Thompson

ai generate & take

Choose any date, not a series

Like our Digital Make & Take academies, this session does not feature any direct instruction. Instead, come with your questions and ideas on how Generative AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, or MagicSchool work. We'll also be able to highlight new tools you haven't heard of yet, or focus on the AI features being added into our district subscriptions like Schoology, Edpuzzle, Kami, Adobe Express, & more.

Facilitators: JR Renna, Lauren Will, Sam Edwards, Matt DeFazio

optimizing schoology

7/15 | 9 AM-10 AM | GOOGLE MEET AND HS ROOM D125

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help educators leverage Schoology's full potential to streamline classroom workflows and enhance student access to learning materials. This session will focus on practical strategies to structure Schoology efficiently for both daily and long-term planning. Participants will learn how to (1) automate content publishing: set up folders and materials to publish automatically on future dates, perfect for planning ahead or managing absent days seamlessly; (2) embed key resources directly in Schoology: integrate curriculum software including IXL, Carnegie, Big Ideas, etc. along with the school's bell schedule, to ensure essential tools are just a click away; (3) utilize Gamma for weekly agendas: offers an alternative to google slides that enhances accessibility and visual organization; (4) create student-friendly shortcuts: reduce the need for students to navigate multiple folders by setting up direct links and shortcuts, simplifying their learning journey.

Facilitator: Angela Turczyn

setting up sync with schoology and tac

8/13 | 8:30 AM-10 AM | HIGH SCHOOL ROOM D225

You will leave with your TAC set up and the gradebook in Schoology ready to go for the new school year. Bring your computer. For HS and MS that use TAC and Schoology.

Facilitator: Melissa Goldstein

ten time saving tips

6/23 | 10 AM-11 AM | GOOGLE MEET

One thing we never have enough of as teachers is TIME! Come learn ten timesaving tips that will help you write report card or assignment comments faster, create review games more efficiently, email parents with ease, and generally streamline tasks for you. The 60 minutes you spend in this session could easily save you 600 minutes during the school year, so sign up now and get ready to save yourself oodles of time!

Facilitator: Kerin Steigerwalt

INTRO TO ADOBE EXPRESS

7/30 | 8:30 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Discover how to empower students to meaningfully create and share their thoughts. In this hands-on session, educators will learn the basics of Adobe Express, use guided activities to build assignments, and create a classroom for their students.

Facilitator: Adobe Trainer

teaching generative ai and digital skills with adobe express

7/30 | 10:30 AM-12 PM | VIRTUAL

Discover how to enrich students’ learning by using generative AI in the classroom. In this session, educators will learn how to craft and refine generative AI prompts to create graphics and text and teach career-ready skills for any subject.

Facilitator: Adobe Trainer

classwize - what's new & best practices

7/31 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

This session will bring you up to speed on the new features and best practices the folks at Classwize have been working on to help managing your digital classroom a breeze.

Facilitator: Sarah Sallman, Classwize

WEVIDEO - what's new & best practices

7/2 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Elevate learning, engagement, and creativity with WeVideo! In this workshop, you will learn video editing fundamentals as you run through the flow of creating, editing, and publishing a video. You’ll learn how to access pre-made assignments in WeVideo’s assignment library to make student multimedia-creation a regular part of your teaching practice. Watch your students come alive with WeVideo!

Facilitator: Bonnie Surma, WeVideo

edpuzzle - WHAT'S NEW & BEST PRACTICES

8/4 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Edpuzzle is a tool that lets you assign videos to your students and sprinkle formative assessment questions throughout to check for comprehension. It works in combination with Schoology to make it super easy to deliver assignments to your classes. This session is appropriate for beginners to Edpuzzle, but will also give updates for existing users on new features and customizations.

Facilitator: Stephanie Bass, Edpuzzle

nearpod - WHAT'S NEW & BEST PRACTICES

7/29 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Nearpod is an instructional platform that merges formative assessment and dynamic media for collaborative learning experiences. Upload existing materials or customize over thousands of pre-made, standards-aligned lessons for all K-12 subjects. Students can learn via a live lesson, or complete assignments independently. Easily integrates with Schoology!

Facilitator: Nearpod Trainer

kami - WHAT'S NEW & BEST PRACTICES

7/22 | 9 AM-10 AM | VIRTUAL

Kami is an app that can transform any existing document into an interactive learning experience. You can use it in combination with Schoology to distribute & collect worksheets online. Students engage with Kami's user-friendly and vibrant interface, encouraging creativity as they demonstrate their learning with rich markup and collaboration tools. This session will show you how to get the most out of Kami, and have success with the Schoology integration. We’ll highlight new features for this school year too.

Facilitator: Oliver Tingling, Kami

breakoutedu - what's new & best practices

8/11 | 11 AM-12 PM | VIRTUAL

This special session offered by the experts at BreakoutEDU will train you on how to use the physical kits we have available in every building as well as the hundreds of digital games in their platform to inspire problem solving and creativity in your classroom.

Facilitator: Patti Duncan, BreakoutEDU

(google sheets), sdi's and standards, oh my!

8/5 | 9 AM-10 AM | GOOGLE MEET AND HS ROOM D125

Join us for a practical, hands-on session designed to unlock the full potential of Google Sheets in your classroom. Whether you're new to Sheets or looking to take your skills to the next level, this session offers strategies to streamline your workflow, support students effectively, and stay organized throughout the school year. Participants will (1) track accommodations for students with IEPs and 504s; (2) monitor student data including Keystone scores, benchmarks, and course grades with built in tools like applying filters, conditional formatting, and freezing rows or columns; and (3) calculate exemption eligibility from final exams ahead of time.

Facilitator: Angela Turczyn

elementary paraprofessionals pd

arts & letters - supporting inclusion: an academy for elementary paraprofessionals

8/14 | 8:30-11:30 | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

This academy will introduce elementary paraprofessionals to the new elementary ELA resource, Arts & Letters and dive into the paraprofessional role in the classroom.

Facilitators: Kelly Rosario, Adrienne Kashner, Danielle Roland & Steve Behr

elementary grade level pd

summer pd day - grades 1 & 4

8/12 | Grade 1 8:30-3:30 | Grade 4 12:30-3:30 | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

Join us for a day of learning as you prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. PD sessions on Literacy, Math, Science and Technology will be part of the day. If you are unable to attend your grade level PD day, you can register for a different day.

Facilitators: Kelly Rosario & Adrienne Kashner

summer pd day - grades 2 & 5

8/5 | Grade 2 8:30-3:30 | Grade 5 8:30-11:30 | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

Join us for a day of learning as you prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. PD sessions on Literacy, Math, Science and Technology will be part of the day. If you are unable to attend your grade level PD day, you can register for a different day.

Facilitators: Kelly Rosario & Adrienne Kashner

summer pd day - grades 3 & KINDERGARTEN

8/7 | Kindergarten 8:30-3:30 | Grade 3 8:30-11:30 | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

Join us for a day of learning as you prepare for the 2025-2026 school year. PD sessions on Literacy, Math, Science and Technology will be part of the day. If you are unable to attend your grade level PD day, you can register for a different day.

Facilitators: Kelly Rosario & Adrienne Kashner

small group explicit math instruction for k-3: reaching all learners

8/13 | 10 AM-12 PM | VETERANS MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY ROOM 140

Discover ways to use small group explicit instruction and the Concrete Representational Abstract (CRA) framework to grow student foundational skills and offer enrichment in grades K-3. This course will give you tools and games to differentiate math instruction during independent learning times. These methods help grow student competence, autonomy and math enjoyment, leading to increased student success.

Facilitator: Leigh Ann Gruen

cpr & Cpi trainings

CPI Initial Training

8/12 | 8:30 AM-1:30 PM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

This class is for those who have never attended a CPI class or for those whose certification has expired. This class teaches the basic CPI principles of crisis de-escalation and personal safety techniques. This class also certifies you for 12-18 months in nonviolent crisis intervention. There will be a hands on portion that participants will be required to demonstrate the skills that they've learned.

Facilitators: Michelle Strohl & Jordan Hodge

CPI refresher

7/28 | 8:30 AM-11:30 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

Recertification in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention

This CPI course is for anyone who has a current CPI card due to expire. To have a current card, you would have been trained on CPI in the last 18 months.

Facilitator: Jordan Hodge

CPI refresher

8/7 | 9 AM-12 PM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM

Recertification in Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention

This CPI course is for anyone who has a current CPI card due to expire. To have a current card, you would have been trained on CPI in the last 18 months.

Facilitator: Alyssa Pagliaro

CPR/First Aid/AED blended learning Full Training

8/13 | 9 AM-10 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER PD ROOM (Blended Learning + Skill Session = 3 hours + 1 hour in person testing = 4 hours total for this course)

This course will prepare you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children and infants. This is a blended learning course including an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skill session. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the in-class portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high speed Internet connection. The Blended Learning Course will be emailed 1 week prior to the in-person skill session. Allow approximately 3 hours to complete the online portion. Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a digital certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years.

Facilitator: Tyler Rosario

CPR Refresher Course

6/25 | 9 AM-10 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER (Blended Learning + Skill Session = 2 hours + 1 hour in person testing = 3 hours total for this course)

This class is for those who have been trained in CPR and whose certification is about to expire. This is a blended learning course including an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skill session. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the in-class portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high speed Internet connection. The Blended Learning Course will be emailed 1 week prior to the in-person skill session.

Facilitator: Kylee Lobb

CPR Refresher Course

7/16 | 9 AM-10 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER (Blended Learning + Skill Session = 2 hours + 1 hour in person testing = 3 hours total for this course)

This class is for those who have been trained in CPR and whose certification is about to expire. This is a blended learning course including an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skill session. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the in-class portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high speed Internet connection. The Blended Learning Course will be emailed 1 week prior to the in-person skill session.

Facilitator: Kim McHenry

CPR Refresher Course

8/13 | 10 AM-11 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER (Blended Learning + Skill Session = 2 hours + 1 hour in person testing = 3 hours total for this course)

This class is for those who have been trained in CPR and whose certification is about to expire. This is a blended learning course including an online portion and an instructor-led classroom skill session. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the in-class portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high speed Internet connection. The Blended Learning Course will be emailed 1 week prior to the in-person skill session.

Facilitator: Tyler Rosario